You know, at this point, I'm going to stop making promises about a determined amount of how many parts this multi-shot is. Because if I say with certainty it's going to be a set number, I already know I'll likely go over it again. This chapter was pushing 18K when I realized I was nowhere near where I wanted the penultimate part to end, so here I am with another cliffhanger because any earlier and it wouldn't have flowed well.
Matt and the Dardens' visit to Chicago coincides with a pair from New York that are in Chicago for more than just a visit, Sylvie's confidentiality skills are put to the test, Matt and Kelly are Not Subtle, the Dardens possess the only braincells in Chicago, and anyone who has read my Law & Order S22 book should have a pretty good idea how this part will end.
Enjoy!
***
A knock on the door of Kelly's loft made both the lieutenant and Sylvie glance up from their takeout. "Were you planning on making my pity party an actual party?" Sylvie frowned at Kelly.
"First off, not a pity party," Kelly shook his head, standing up and walking to the door. "As for plans, though . . . "
He opened the door and swiftly stood back, and Sylvie was almost knocked off her chair when two teenage boys rocketed to hug her. "You're OK!" Griffin grinned happily.
"A rocket?" Ben's eyes were wide as he looked at Sylvie. "Really?"
"Give her some room to breathe, boys," Matt chuckled as he rolled their suitcases into the loft, Kelly assisting him with a grin.
"Griffin! Ben!" Sylvie laughed, hugging the boys tightly. "Oh, it's good to see you!"
"We kept asking why we couldn't fly here immediately after you were hurt," Ben told her, hopping onto the chair next to her. "Griffin flew down here once by himself. We could've come down while Matt was out on the wildfire lines."
"Isn't it better to do it while school's out?" Matt asked with a huff. "No hurry to leave."
"That is nice," Ben agreed. "No projects to work on."
"No painfully long essays," Griffin nodded.
"And all the time in the world to ask what the hell happened while I was gone," Matt walked up to Sylvie, green eyes shining with concern as he stepped up to Sylvie. "We were told Martucci wouldn't be a problem, then a goddamn RPG blows up on you? What the hell?"
Sylvie blushed. "What was I supposed to do, let Pryma bleed to death?"
"It's a little tempting," Ben grumbled.
"Ben!" Griffin elbowed him.
Matt just sighed and engulfed Sylvie in a bear hug. "You aren't allowed to have any more near-death experiences unless I'm nearby. Got it?"
"What am I, chopped liver?" Kelly complained.
Sylvie merely giggled and tucked her head under Matt's chin, snuggling into his embrace. "Got it, Matt."
"And we don't want to lose the one good female authority figure in our life," Griffin added.
Ben nodded so enthusiastically that it looked like his head would fall off, and Sylvie smiled kindly, holding out an arm. "Still not a fan of your guidance counselor and social worker?"
"Hell no," Griffin huffed vehemently as Ben curled in for a hug. "As far as those women are concerned, we're just thorns in their sides, yet they still think we should stay in Portland."
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But I'd Have Had to Miss The Dance (Sylverasey Collection)
Fanfiction"And now I'm glad I didn't know the way it all would end, the way it all would go. Our lives are better left to chance. I could've missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance." ~ Garth Brooks, "The Dance" In which all the stories (one-shots...
